Noble Bear Maple End-Grain Up Cutting Boards are the best cutting boards to use and will meet the needs of the most discerning cooks. Noble Bear maple end-grain Up cutting boards are more durable than regular cutting boards. The end-grain Up has a much harder surface and provides a greater tolerance for a knifes chopping motion. Noble Bear Maple end-grain Up cutting boards give a truly resistant cutting surface while being kind to the blade's sharp edge. The reason for the end grain Up design is when you use a knife on them instead of crushing the blade against the wood fibers the blade goes between them much like cutting straight into a brushes bristles instead of across them. The wood itself is not cut, but instead you are cutting between the fibers, when the knife strikes the surface during cutting, the grain of the wood actually separates and then closes when the knife is removed. This accounts for the self-healing aspect of the end-grain surface. You will find that your knife blade edges will last much longer. It is surprising to people when they hear that a Noble Bear maple end-grain Up cutting board may be more resistant to bacterial buildup than the plastic ones. Research has shown that bacteria, such as the salmonella found on raw chicken, will thrive and multiply if not removed from plastic boards. The knife-scarred nooks and crannies that develop on the surface of a plastic cutting board provide an ideal place for germs to hide out and multiply. Hand scrubbing with soap and hot water can clear germs from the surface of new or used wooden cutting boards. Take note that knife-scared plastic boards are resistant to decontamination by hand washing. To clean your Noble Bear maple end-grain Up cutting board use hot water and soap. Rinse and dry thoroughly. It is not recommended to submerge cutting boards in a sink of water! Wood is porous and it will soak up water causing the cutting board to crack if this method is used on a regular basis. Your Noble Bear maple end grain Up cutting board should be kept dry when not in use. Bacteria will not survive more than a few hours without moisture. Prop one end of your cutting board up when not using it to prevent moisture of any type from collecting on the surface. To disinfect and clean your Noble Bear maple end grain Up cutting board, wipe it with full-strength white vinegar after each use. The acetic acid in the vinegar is a good disinfectant, effective against such harmful bugs as E. coli, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus. Vinegar is especially good for people with chemical allergies. I like to keep a spray bottle of undiluted vinegar handy for easy sanitizing. At home I use a Noble Bear maple end-grain Up cutting board. I marked one side with a small "V" and on the other side an "M". The V is for veggies and the M is for meat. I prep my raw vegetables first, and then flip it over to prep my meats. After I am done prepping with both sides I wash it with hot water and soap and then spray with full strength white vinegar to sanitize. Using this method you should never have to worry about cross contamination. Wooden boards need oiling or re-seasoning once a week to seal the grain against bacteria. daily washing with hot water and soap removes small amounts of the protective mineral oil. Re applying the mineral oil finish will help prevent the wood from the ware and tear of daily use. Before applying the mineral oil to butcher block, warm the oil slightly. Apply oil with a soft cloth allowing the oil to soak in, then remove all excess oil with a dry, clean cloth. When applied, mineral oil seals the pores of the wood blocking the penetration of moisture. Mineral oil is used because it remains safe throughout its life. I use the cheapest pure food-grade mineral oil I can find. (do not use vegetable or olive oils because they can turn rancid). Food grade mineral oil can be found at the local supermarket, hardware store or drug store. To eliminate garlic, onion, fish, or other unwanted smells from your Noble Bear maple end grain Up cutting board you can rub the board with course salt or baking soda. Let stand a few minutes and wipe salt or baking soda from board, and then rinse. Another very easy technique is to rub fresh lemon juice or rub a cut lemon over the surface of the cutting board to neutralize onion and garlic odors. Using full strength white vinegar will help stop unwanted smells from accruing. You may need to re-season your Noble Bear maple end grain Up cutting board with food grade mineral oil after rinsing and drying your cutting board. Square Maple End-Grain Up Cutting Board Dimensions 1 1/2" By 14" By 14"
A Maker who has been a valued part of this community for several years.
Customers say that this Maker ships promptly after completing a project.
This Maker has consistently demonstrated excellence in craftsmanship and customer service.
A Biographical Note On The Craftsman
Thomas Patrick McKeever
Born In Los Gatos California
In The Spring Of 1964.
The family of five soon moved to Benicia California along the shores of the Carquinez Straights. This is where young Thomas grew up and went to school. He did well with school and entered many of his achievements in the local fair receiving blue ribbons year after year.
Always interested in the arts, Thomas spent time acquiring a taste for good forms and craftsmanship.
While growing up Thomas admired the fine yachts and graceful cruisers along the waterfront. Later Thomas had the privilege of restoring some.
Thomas continued his education. Enrolling at Solano College to study metallurgy he acquired machine shop and welding skills. Although these skills were very interesting and useful Thomas had to return to his love of working with wood. All was round and smooth upon completion of the Wood Technology Program at Laney College.
Seeking employment in this noble field he was offered a position under Robert Erickson. For five years he worked on refining forms skills and techniques. Each day was a quest to find beauty in the world of fine furniture.
After Erickson Thomas found work with one and then another cabinet shop. The first was Keith Moon Fine Woodworking the second was Rivendell Woodcrafts.
The seeds were sewn. He opened his own shop first under his own name then under Noble Bear Furniture and yes in Benicia where his roots are deep.
A guide to the best items from the best makers and the stories behind them.
Vernon Wharff
For Vernon's Coffee TableTom did an excellent job with my commission, a small six-point star coffee table, and delivered it as promised and on schedule. I appreciate him personally delivering it and he was very professional for the entire job.
Ellen Mancini
For Oval Maple End Grain Cutting BoardThe cutting board is positively beautiful. Tom was great to work with, and a true professional. I have no doubt, should I seek another wood piece, he would be the first I would contact.
Michael Nieto
For Modarondack - Modern Adirondack ChairI will work with Tom McKeever again Great craftsmanship and knowledge!
tom bromaeus
For Alder Bar StoolWas very happy with the bar stools. Communication was great. Delivery was on time. The craftsman ship was exceptional and more than satisfied my expectations
Bob Lansing
For New ProjectTom was AWESOME!!! I wanted a specific sized cutting board, and the entire process was perfect. I've never used this site prior, but the communication was forthcoming and convenient, the build was quick and in the timeframe we had discussed, the shipping was 2 day and board was packed crazy well, and the finished product looks as if I bought it from Williams-Sonoma!!!!! All was/is perfect!!!! A HUGE Thank You Tom.
Jaroslaw Cegielka
For Rectangle Maple End Grain Up Cutting BoardVery nice product. We exchanged couple of emails trying to figure out final dimensions and shape, he explained to me how the board is made and what dimension would give final, nice looking pattern. I am very happy what he made. The packaging was out of this world. Thank You Tom! Bulletproof, 4 or 5 layers of protection. Arrived in perfect condition. Now is being conditioned with oil as per Tom advice. I think it was priced reasonably too. This many pieces of wood cut, shaped, glued together and then sanded and shaped again required a lot of time and skill. If I can think of something to make out of wood I will be definitely turning to Noble Bear Furniture for help. Thanks again. Jaroslaw.